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FOUR out of 10 shops targeted in a trading standards swoop sold knives to a young child.

Officials in Flintshire hired a 13-year-old to try to buy the weapons from the county’s shops, and an amazing number of workers handed knives over without asking any questions.

The news comes in the week the legal age for buying knives and cigarettes in shops rose from 16 to 18.

Officials last night warned shopowners to be vigilant in the wake of the new legislation.

Ron Hughes, head of Trading Standards with Flintshire County Council, said the number of shops not complying had actually gone down in one year, but more work remained to be done.

He said: “While the figure of four in 10 shops selling knives to children has come down this year, it is still an unacceptable figure.

“The main problem appears to be that the shopkeepers are not giving sufficient training and instructions to staff to ensure that they do not sell to those underage.

“With the increase in the age, it is even more important that everything is done to ensure these dangerous products do not get easily into the hands of children.

“It is essential retailers advise their staff of the changes in the law and ensure that, from now onwards, no one under the age of 18 is served with tobacco products such as cigarettes and rolling papers, or with knives.

“Asking to see proof of age really is the key to avoiding underage sales.”

In the last year in Wales, 11% of attempts to purchase cigarettes by children supervised by trading standards officers resulted in a sale.

In the same time, knives were sold to children in 9% of attempts.

A similar sting by trading standards officers in Conwy last year saw “vicious” knives sold to a 13-year-old boy.

Mr Hughes added: “Shopkeepers are by law required to take every precaution to avoid selling underage products to those who are under 18.

“The onus is on the purchaser to prove their age. I would ask everyone that is young enough to be mistaken for someone under 21 to ensure that they have the necessary proof of age.”